OK, I'm guilty over my recent 3 day pattern binge in which I purchased about 15 patterns . Most were on the 99 cent sale at Joannes, but not all. If I can acutally make up half of them this season, I'll be doing good. Not counting my vintage pattern stash, I think I've only sewn about 1/3 to 1/4 of all my patterns. How about you?

I've been "investing" in toddler girls patterns for a few years -- I seriously doubt if I'll get to them all before my brood of gd's all grow out of them. Does that stop me from buying new ones? Well of course not! Now it's time to start buying bigger ones -- and they all love the Lizzie McGuire patterns, so I feel safe in picking those up!

------Sewing fills my life. And my living room, and bedroom, and closets, and car . . .
-----------------------------------
The advantage of a food allergy is that I get to choose the restaurant.

ahem (choke... is DH anywhere near??) ... my pattern stash, along with its' cousin the fabric stash, have a much higher growth curve than my finished products. I'd say I've actually finished about 10-15% of the patterns I own. And now the Vogue patterns will be 75% off at Joanns later this month... my list is ready.

does it count for more when you do up the same pattern more than once??

I actually pulled out my Pattern Catalog list and went through and checked everything I'd sewn, counting as I went. I thought, "Wow, I've sewn 103 patterns!"...but it works out to be only a fuzz more than a third of the 288 patterns I have listed.

BTW, it took 3 apple boxes to pack them all up...and I still found some more old ones stashed in the attic that I hadn't had the heart to get rid of ages ago

A third is probably a generous estimate!

------Lisa -- so much fabric, so little time!
http://sewrandom.blogspot.com/

30-39% is my best guess. I have a habit of collecting purse patterns that I never sew, so that's not helping me. And I've been purging a lot lately, now that i'm confident that I won't be a size 8 again.

I'm guessing I'm in the 30% range ... I've not counted my patterns yet or how many I've actually sewn. I don't know if I want to.

But ... I don't buy all my patterns with the intention of sewing them up. Esp. the 99¢ ones. I buy them for inspiration and ideas, or for the instructions for making something with PMB. I find it very relaxing to just browse through my personal pattern catalog (looseleaf binder with sheet protectors), and for me, the expense is worth that.

Good question, Docsew! But imagine all those Burda mag patterns not sewn... do those count, when you just bought the mag for one pattern???Like Deb I buy (bought) patterns in the US on sales just for inspiration. The cheapo equivalent here is buying a Dutch-language Burda magazine, and if you think Burda magazine's directions in English are scanty, try reading them in a foreign language... LOL, I lose another 30%! That didn't stop me from buying the latest Quick & Easy mag yesterday for the cool satin trim pants and skirt ideas. Their instructions for a mock wrap front top might be just the ticket to make my KS version not looks so warped on the overlap.

Deb, once I bought a McCall's nonstop wardrobe pattern with 6 views on the cover because I liked the haircut of the model--and it was styled well in 6 different ways! I got my hair cut that way.

I like quick results in sewing, and there's nothing quicker than an already fitted and tested pattern. I've gone so far as to swap fronts, backs and sleeves from a tested pattern with a related fabric recommendation into another pattern, just to save me from re-altering. I *never* sew in 5/8" sleeves/armscythes, I always use a KS instead. But the truth is a certain style of garments look best on us. The merits of re-using a pattern are many. I have so many Simplicity twist front tops an onlooker would think I bought the entire RTW stock at a store.

oh shoot, i already voted, and totally forgot about the magazine patterns! i prolly have made about 50% of my pattern stash, but with the magazine patterns, that percentage will be lower. i've subbed to burda WOF for 3 years, and i think i've made 5 patterns total, from those magazines (not for lack of styles, mind you, my list of designs to make is L-O-N-G!.

linda

------Linda

Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves, and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys, they’d just walk around naked at all times.
-- Betsey Johnson

My opinion: a magazine bought for 1 pattern counts as 1 pattern! You don't have the option of buying only part of a magazine, after all. I actually don't subscribe to any pattern magazines, so that doesn't affect me.

I was pleasantly surprised that I am at about 30%; I thought it would be lower than that.

What a great poll! Causes just a weee bit of guilt though, lol. I think I sew about 25% give or take. I would love to make up my own pattern catalog of my personal stash, and keep track of yards bought vs yards sewn-I only wish I was that organized! I have two large pattern boxes full, 2 small ones full, and at least one more large box's worth just stashed here and there all over the house. And this past weekend, I have purchased at least 10 more I think I just can't seem to stop myself! I am thinking about the fact that I have a zillion patterns at home, very similar to what I'm buying, and I haven't made them up, what am I doing buying more?!

Oh well, its good to know I'm not alone in this

Is there anyone who actually sews 75% and higher of their pattern stash? There must be, the poll indicates at least four diligent individuals who do so. Heck, even 50% or better is an amazing feat If so I would love to hear how you manage to resist buying more patterns before sewing the ones already acquired- this would be a wonderful skill to possess!

On the other hand, .99 patterns are at least a relatively *cheap* addiction.

Hilary

Ok, time to 'fess up! I just counted my "all over the house" collection, which came to a startling 144 patterns of which I've sewn... *gulp* a paltry 28 AAck! Its worse than I thought...I'm glad Dh doesn't read these threads

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